Nipah virus Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nipah virus?
Nipah virus is a virus that spreads from animals to humans and can also be spread through contaminated food or directly between people. It was first identified in 1999 among pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore.

Where is Nipah virus found?
Nipah virus has caused outbreaks among people, but these have been restricted to outbreaks in South and South‑East Asia (including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore).

Have there ever been any cases of Nipah virus in Ireland?
No, there have not been any cases of Nipah virus in Ireland.

What is the source of Nipah virus?
Fruit bats in South and South-East Asia are the main carriers of Nipah virus. The virus can also infect pigs, dogs, cats, goats, horses, and sheep.

How is Nipah virus transmitted?
People can catch Nipah virus by:

• Touching infected animals
• Eating food contaminated by bats, especially date-palm sap
• Being very close to someone who is already sick with Nipah virus.

What are the commonest ways people catch Nipah?
In Bangladesh, where Nipah cases occur almost every year (especially between December and April), drinking raw/fresh date‑palm sap is one of the commonest ways people catch Nipah virus. Fruit bats visit trees at night from which sap is being extracted, and they can contaminate the sap with their saliva, urine, or droppings.

In India, where Nipah outbreaks occur less commonly (most frequently in Kerala or West Bengal) most cases occur following contact with people infected with Nipah virus.

What are the symptoms of Nipah virus infection?
Symptoms usually begin 4–21 days after infection and include sudden fever or flu‑like illness. Severe disease may involve pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation), which carries high mortality.

How serious is Nipah virus infection?
The estimated case‑fatality rate is 40–75%, and survivors may have long‑term neurological complications. Rarely, the virus may reactivate months or years later.

Who is at risk of Nipah virus infection?
The risk of infection with Nipah virus is greatest for people living in or travelling to affected regions in South and South‑East Asia, especially those in rural or semi‑rural areas where outbreaks typically occur. The risk for people who do visit affected areas is very low. It is also low for people in affected areas, unless they come in direct contact with contaminated foodstuffs, or people who are infected with Nipah virus.

How can I avoid infection with Nipah virus?
The risk of becoming infected with Nipah virus, even if travelling to affected countries, is very low. The following steps will minimise your likelihood of becoming ill:

• Avoid contaminated food
  • Do not drink raw date‑palm sap or eat fruit that bats may have touched. This is one of the main ways people catch Nipah in Bangladesh.
  • Only drink sap that has been properly covered or boiled.

• Avoid contact with bats and sick animals
  • Fruit bats often carry Nipah virus. Avoid bat roosts and do not touch animals that seem unwell.

• Avoid close contact with sick people
  • In India and Bangladesh, Nipah can spread through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is sick.
  • Do not share utensils, bedding, or have close face‑to‑face contact with someone who may be infected.

• Practice good hygiene
  • Wash hands often with soap and water.
  • Keep living spaces well‑ventilated.
  • Clean surfaces regularly.

• If you work in healthcare
  • Use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, gowns, and face shields.
  • Follow infection‑control steps to prevent spread in hospitals.

• If you live in or travel to an affected country
  • Avoid drinking raw sap or eating fruit that looks partly eaten by animals.
  • Stay away from bat‑roosting areas.
  • Get local health advice during outbreaks.

Last updated: 19 February 2026